As the filing deadline draws near, UH West Oʻahu (UHWO) student volunteers will offer free assistance for low-income taxpayers with federal and state tax returns in partnership with Volunteer Legal Services Hawaiʻi, a non-profit organization that provides free or low-cost legal services to low-income residents. At tax preparation workshops across Oʻahu, UHWO students will provide a valuable service to the community.

The workshops will be held on the following dates:

Friday, March 28 1 — 4 p.m. US Vets (Barber‘s Point), Bldg. 37 Shangrila Way Saturday, March 29 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. Waianae Neighborhood Place, 85-979 Mill Street Saturday, April 5 and April 12 9 a.m. — 12:30 p.m. Volunteer Legal Services Hawaiʻi, 545 Queen Street, Suite 100 All volunteers have been trained and certified to prepare basic tax forms not including returns for self-employed taxpayers or those with a rental income. Since February, UH West Oʻahu students have provided tax assistance for Hawaiʻi families as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a cooperative partnership between the Internal Revenue Service and the State of Hawaiʻi.

"Over a decade ago, we incorporated the VITA program as a key part of the learning experience for students in tax classes at UH West Oʻahu," says UHWO Accounting Lecturer Wayne Tanna. "I utilize the service-learning experience as a way to make the subject of taxation applicable to the world outside the classroom. I truly believe this experience transforms not just the community but also the students themselves."

Participants are required to bring all relevant tax forms. For more information, contact Wayne Tanna at 739-4606.